Since the software for online casino play was first released in the 1990s, many changes have revolutionised online play. The online casino industry is a fast-changing environment with numerous developers and mechanics providing games for a huge global market. Technological advancements and a competitive market have resulted in an ever-growing industry offering players new and exciting gameplay opportunities.
The casino industry continued to develop through 2022 as players used new casinos, games and features. If you're wondering how different parts of the casino industry fared in 2022, here's a rundown of important takeaways.
What was popular in Online Casinos in 2022?
The online casino industry saw an increase in popularity in 2022, a common trend since online casino play was invented, particularly since 2019, when the Covid-19 pandemic caused many brick-and-mortar casino players to move their gameplay online.
Slot machines are reported as showing the biggest increase in popularity in 2022, and with such a large and competitive industry, it is little wonder more players are trying slots out. The large variety of game developers releasing new and updated slots has led to a constantly growing choice of slot titles. These game developers include names some of you may recognise, like Microgaming, Pragmatic Play or NetEnt.
A particular slot game mechanic that we saw rise greatly in popularity through 2022 was the Megaways games. This mechanic uses different-sized symbols across a 6-reel playgrid resulting in up to 117,649 paylines on which winning combinations can land. Big Time Gaming originally released the Megaways slot game mechanic, although it has since been incorporated into games by all of the biggest developers.
Another notable shift in online casino users was how players deposited and withdrew funds from their accounts. Although debit and credit card transactions are still the most popular, many gamers now use digital payment methods like Paypal or e-wallets like Neteller or Skrill. Another popular way gamers credit their online casino accounts is through cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, a trend that could fade away or rise further in the future.
What was the Biggest Online Casino Game of 2022?
The most popular online casino game in 2022 was roulette. There is more selection of roulette titles offering varied gameplay available now than ever before. The main reason roulette remains so popular is the simplicity of play, with chance being a big part of whether a player wins or loses.
Fans of video slot games may wonder which titles stood out in 2022, and with a constantly growing library of slots to choose from, this is an important question. The game title we have noticed more players searching for and enjoying than ever is the popular Gonzos Quest game from NetEnt. Based on the historical Spanish conquistador and his search for the lost city of gold, Eldorado and exciting game payouts on the way. Found in the South American rainforest, the gameplay here features a 5-reel playgrid filled with stone tablet symbols players can land in combination across the 20 fixed paylines in play. With a simple Free Spins feature and Wilds that can substitute for the triggering Free Fall symbols, it is quite easy for players to access the main bonus here. There is a series of Gonzos Quest titles to look through, including a Megaways, Gonzos Gold and even a VR title to try out!
What saw a surge in popularity in 2022?
A casino industry development that has seen a rise in popularity in 2022 is based on how payers fund their gaming. Cryptocurrencies to deposit funds into online casinos are rising. This is great for those wanting to avoid using their bank details on-site.
There are fewer limits, which is great for gamblers to enjoy playing responsibly. Withdrawing funds from a site in crypto is faster, meaning players can see their winning hit their crypto bank in less time than traditional currencies. The use of cryptocurrency has skyrocketed in recent years. This shift in how people spend money is slowly becoming a norm at online casinos.
What saw a drop in casino players in 2022?
The main drop in casino gameplay habits is users' shift from brick-and-mortar establishments to online play. Players have moved to using online sites instead of visiting their local casinos for any reason and the convenience of gameplay without travelling. Developments in software, particularly the shift to HTML-5, have allowed online casinos to open mobile-optimised sites and even mobile or tablet applications. The various online payment methods give players more choices. There have also been new features ensuring players' welfare online. These features include deposit limits, time-out periods and information on responsible gambling.
Summary
As you can see, 2022 has witnessed many important points that users and workers of the casino industry will find interesting. Seeing how slot games have been on the rise this year, particularly Megaways tiles or the Gonzos Quest theme of games, to be exact, shows what is attracting players at the moment. Software development and the casino industry have seen gameplay move online with new payment methods different from classic bank transfers.
As these findings have proven, the casino landscape is ever-changing, and we expect to discover more advances in 2023. Whether the rise in Virtual Reality will make play more interactive or the pandemic becomes less of a threat, will players return to brick-and-mortar venues? The casino industry is exciting and fast-paced, with plenty of behaviour shifts. Hopefully, this rundown of the 2022 casino play has been helpful and informative. Please remember to gamble responsibly when playing casino games.
